Modular appliance

ABSTRACT

Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/000,256 filed on Aug. 19, 2013, which is herebyincorporate by reference in its entirety, and which is a 35 U.S.C. 371U.S. national stage application of PCT/US2013/033793 filed on Mar. 26,2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, andwhich claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/616,120 filed on Mar. 27, 2012 and to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/697,609 filed on Sep. 6, 2012.

STATEMENT OF THE TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventive arrangements relate to modular appliances. Moreparticularly, the inventive arrangements concern systems and methods forenabling two or more appliances to be selectively interconnectedtogether.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There are many types of appliances known in the art. One such applianceis a slow cooker. A slow cooker is generally a countertop electricalcooking appliance that is used for unattended cooking. The slow cookergenerally consists of a lidded cooking container surrounded by a housingincluding a heating element. The cooking container is typically made ofstoneware for optimum slow cooking. A power cable extends from thehousing which has a conventional mains plug attached to its distal endfor connection to a wall outlet. The slow cooker is typically absent ofa means for mechanically and/or electrically interconnecting it withanother cooking appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns first appliances (e.g., cooking appliances suchas a slow cooker). The first appliances each comprise a base unit and aplug connector coupled thereto. The plug connector is configured toelectrically couple the first appliance to a first socket connector ofan electrical receptacle (e.g., a wall outlet or an outlet of anotherappliance). The plug connector can have an aperture formed therein thatis configured to receive a guide protruding out and away from the firstsocket connector. The aperture and guide facilitate the alignment andmechanical coupling of the connectors. Also, the aperture and guidecollectively provide a means for ensuring that plug connectors of otherdevices may not be electrically coupled to the first socket connector.

A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit in whichthe plug connector is disposed when in an engaged position. A leverdefines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured tofacilitate a transition of the first plug connector between an engagedposition and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connectorwhen in the engaged position, and does not engage the plug connectorwhen in the disengaged position. A retractable cable coupled to the plugconnecter may be removed from an internal chamber of the base unit whenthe first plug connector is in its disengaged position. In somescenarios, the cable can be retracted manually or electrically.

In some scenarios, the lever and a plurality of channel walls of thechannel collectively facilitate an alignment of the first plug connectorand the first socket connector when being electrically coupled together.Additionally or alternatively, the lever and the channel wallscollectively facilitate a mechanical coupling of the base unit to theelectrical receptacle.

In the same or other scenarios, the appliance further comprises a secondsocket connector. The second socket connector is generally configured toelectrically couple the first appliance to a second plug connector ofanother appliance. The second socket connector may be disposed on afirst side of the base unit which is opposed from a second side of thebase unit on which the first plug connector is disposed. Also, the firstplug connector and the second socket connector may be aligned with eachother.

The invention also concerns second appliances. The second applianceseach comprise a base unit, a first inductive coupler and a retractableplug-cable assembly. The first inductive coupler is configured toinductively couple the second appliance to a first adjacent appliance.The retractable plug-cable assembly is configured to electrically couplethe second appliance to an electrical receptacle (e.g., a wall outlet oran outlet of another appliance).

In some scenarios, the second appliance supplies power to the firstadjacent appliance from the electrical receptacle via the firstinductive coupler. In other scenarios, the second appliance isexclusively supplied power from the first adjacent appliance via thefirst inductive coupler. In yet other scenarios, the appliance isexclusively supplied power from the electrical receptacle during a firstperiod of time, and supplied power from the first adjacent applianceduring a second period of time.

A second inductive coupler may be provided for inductively coupling thesecond appliance to a second adjacent appliance. The second inductivecoupler may be disposed on a first side of the base unit opposed from asecond side of the base unit on which the first inductive coupler isdisposed. The first inductive coupler also may be aligned horizontallyand vertically with the second inductive coupler.

A channel may also be provided. The channel can be formed on or in afirst sidewall of the base unit in which the plug connector of theretractable plug-cable assembly is disposed when in an engaged position.A channel wall of the channel is defined by a lever. The lever isconfigured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between theengaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plugconnector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plugconnector when in the disengaged position.

The invention further concerns third appliances. The third applianceseach comprise a base unit, a plate, and a first inductive coupler. Theplate is pivotally coupled to the base unit such that the plate istransitionable from a closed position to an open position. The firstinductive coupler is coupled to the plate. The first inductive coupleris configured to inductively couple the appliance to a first adjacentappliance. The first inductive coupler is disposed within a chamber ofthe base unit when the plate is in the closed position, and exposed whenthe plate is in the open position.

The third appliance may also comprise an electrical coupler configuredto electrically couple it to a second adjacent appliance. The electricalcoupler comprises an electrical connector or a second inductive coupler.The third appliance may further comprise a retractable plug-cableassembly configured to electrically couple it to an electricalreceptacle. Accordingly, the third appliance can supply power from theelectrical receptacle to the first adjacent appliance via the firstinductive coupler. The third appliance can also be supplied power fromthe first adjacent appliance via the first inductive coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing,figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout thefigures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front-left perspective view of a first exemplary appliance.

FIG. 2 is a front-right perspective view of the appliance shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appliance shown in FIG. 1electrically connected to two other appliances.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mains plug assembly of the applianceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration that is useful for understanding alever assembly of the appliance shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second exemplary applianceelectrically coupled to other appliances.

FIG. 7 is a front-left perspective view of the second exemplaryappliance shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front-right perspective view of the second exemplaryappliance shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration that is useful for understanding howa third exemplary appliance can be electrically coupled to otherappliances.

FIG. 10 is a front-left perspective view of the third exemplaryappliance shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration that is useful for understanding afold out connector of the apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of three exemplary apparatus coupledtogether via a mechanical-electrical interconnect mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of three exemplary apparatuscoupled together via a mechanical-electrical interconnect mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the mechanical-electrical interconnectmechanism of FIGS. 12 and 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments asgenerally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures couldbe arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments.While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings,the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light ofthe description herein, that the invention can be practiced without oneor more of the specific features or advantages of a particularembodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages maybe recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in allembodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicatedembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”,and similar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

As used in this document, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” includeplural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unlessdefined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including,but not limited to”.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is provided a front-left perspective viewof a first exemplary appliance 100. Although the appliance 100 is shownin FIG. 1 as comprising a slow cooker, the present invention is notlimited in this regard. In some scenarios, the appliance 100 maycomprise a toaster, a water dispenser, a waffle iron, a kettle, or anyother cooking appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the appliance100 may have a function which is other than for the preparation of foodand/or drinks. Examples of such appliances include, but are not limitedto, televisions, radios, clocks and/or coolers.

The appliance 100 has a compact design such that it can be placed on acountertop when in use and stored in a cabinet when not in use. Theappliance 100 is also configured for unattended cooking. As such, theappliance 100 includes internal electrical components (not shown) in abase unit 102. Such electrical components of a slow cooker are wellknown in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Forexample, similar slow cooker appliances having similar electroniccomponents are disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,740,855,6,740,855, 7,312,425 and 6,587,739, all of which are incorporated byreference in their entirety as if fully rewritten herein. However, themanner in which these electrical components are supplied power will bediscussed in detail below in relation to FIGS. 1-5. A cooking container130 is disposed in a recess (not shown) in the base unit 102. Thecooking container 130 may be comprised of a stoneware, glazed ceramic,porcelain, metal or other suitable material known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. The cooking container 130 may be round, oval, oblongor other shape and any capacity such as 1 quart, 2.5 quart, 3.5 quart orother capacity. In the illustrated embodiment, the base unit 130 has onecooking container disposed in the recess (not shown). It should beunderstood that there may be more than one cooking containers 130disposed in a recess in the base unit 102 (see FIG. 3) such as two ormore cooking containers 130 of the same or other shape and of the sameor different volume. A lid 135 may be provided to cover the cookingcontainer 130.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the appliance 100 includes a base unit 102 whichhouses the electrical components (not shown) and a portion of a PowerSupply Assembly (“PSA”) 106. The PSA 106 includes a socket assembly 108and a plug assembly 202. The socket assembly 108 comprises a socketconnector 114 disposed within a channel 116 formed by a protruding wall118. Similarly, the plug assembly 202 comprises a plug connector 204disposed within a channel 216 formed by a protruding wall 218. Thepresent invention is not limited in this regard. For example, in otherscenarios, the channels 116, 216 can alternatively be formed within thebase unit 102. More particularly, the channels 116, 216 can be formedwithin respective sidewalk 110, 210 of the base unit 102. Accordingly,the socket assembly 108 and plug assembly 202 may be at least partiallyrecessed within the base unit 102. Also, the socket connector 114 andplug connector 204 can have a housing with any shape (e.g., a six-sidedshape as shown in FIG. 4 or a triangular shape).

The plug connector 204 is designed to mate with a socket connector 114of another appliance (e.g., appliance 300 or 350 of FIG. 3). In somescenarios, the socket connector 114 comprises a rigid guide 120 forfacilitating a proper alignment of a plug connector 204 of anotherappliance (e.g., appliance 300 or 350 of FIG. 3) therewith. Accordingly,the plug connector 204 comprises an aperture (e.g., aperture 408 of FIG.4) sized and shaped to receive the rigid guide 120 of another appliance(e.g., appliance 300 or 350 of FIG. 3). The rigid guide 120 alsofacilitates the retention of a plug connector 204 of another appliance(e.g., appliance 300 or 350 of FIG. 3) in the socket connector 114 ofappliance 100 during use thereof. The rigid guide 120 can have anyshape, such as a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, thecorresponding aperture 408 formed in the plug connector 204 can have anyshape, such as a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 4.

Similar to the rigid guide 120, the walls 118, 218 are designed toensure proper alignment of mating connectors and the retention of amated arrangement of said connectors during use thereof. Accordingly, insome scenarios, the wall 118 has an angled exterior surface 122 forfrictionally engaging an angled interior surface 222 of the wall 218.This frictional engagement between the walls 118, 218 ensures that twointerconnected appliances (e.g., appliances 100 and 300 as shown in FIG.3) will not unintentionally be separated from each other when in use.

As shown in FIG. 1, the socket assembly 108 is disposed on a firstsidewall 110 of the base unit 102. In contrast, the plug assembly 202 isdisposed on a second sidewall 210 opposed from the first sidewall 110 ofthe base unit 102. Notably, the assemblies 108, 202 are located on thesidewalls 110, 210 such that they both have the same center axis 112,and therefore are horizontally and vertically aligned with each other.This alignment of the assemblies 108, 202 ensures that the appliance 100can be mechanically and electrically interconnected with at least oneother appliance 300, 350, as shown in FIG. 3. The other appliances 300,350 can be the same as, similar to or different than the appliance 100.If the other appliance 350 is different than the appliance 100, then allthat is needed to establish said interconnection is a socket or plugconfigured for mating with a corresponding component 114, 204 of theassembly 100. Also, in this scenario and other scenarios, the assemblies108, 202 may not be arranged so as to be horizontally and verticallyaligned with each other. Furthermore, a light emitting diode can beprovided to indicate (a) when at least two appliances are mechanicallyand/or electrically interconnected, and/or (b) when an appliance isbeing supplied power from an adjacent appliance.

In the interconnected arrangement of FIG. 3, the appliance 100 isdirectly connected to a first appliance 300 and indirectly connected toa second appliance 350 via the first appliance 200. The presentinvention is not limited in this regard. In other scenarios, theappliance 100 may reside in between two appliances so as to be directlycoupled to both adjacent appliances. The appliance 100 can also beindirectly coupled to any number of other appliances.

In the scenario of FIG. 3, the appliance 100 is directly coupled to asingle other appliance 300. As such, the appliance 100 may be selectedas a master unit, while the other appliances 300, 350 are selected asslave units. Alternatively, the appliance 350 can be selected as themaster unit, while the appliances 100, 300 are selected as the slaveunits. If the appliance 100 is selected as the master unit, then theslave units 300, 350 are supplied power from an electrical receptacle(e.g., a wall outlet) via the master unit 100. Accordingly, a plugconnector 204 of the master unit 100 is coupled to a retractable cable502 shown in FIG. 5. Retractable cables are well known in the art, andtherefore will not be described herein. Any known or to be knownretractable cable can be used herein without limitation. Still, itshould be understood that the cable 502 can be stored in and removedfrom a chamber (not shown) formed within the base unit 102. The removalof the cable 502 from the chamber (not shown) is facilitated by a lever402. The cable 502 can be removed from or retracted into the chamber viamanual or automatic operations.

The lever 402 is generally designed to engage the plug connector 204when it is in its engaged position shown in FIGS. 1-4. In this regard,the lever 402 comprises a resilient component 404 and a rigid component406. The resilient component 404 can include, but is not limited to, aspring. The resilient component 404 enables the depression of the rigidcomponent 406 such that the plug connector 204 can be disengagedtherefrom. The resilient component 404 also ensures that the rigidcomponent 406 returns to its un-depressed position after being released.

The rigid component 406 comprises an engagement structure 504 forengaging the plug connector 204 so as to retain at least a portionthereof within the internal chamber (not shown) of the base unit 102. Inthis regard, the engagement structure 504 has an engagement surface 506sized and shaped to mechanically and frictionally engage a surface 508of the plug connector 204. The rigid component 406 also comprises posts510 for securely and pivotally coupling the rigid component 406 to thebase unit 102.

Notably, in the scenario of FIG. 3, the lever 402 has at least thefollowing purpose: (1) facilitate the retention of the cable 502 in theinternal chamber of the base unit 102 when the appliance 100 is not inuse; and (2) facilitate the removal of the cable 502 from the internalchamber when the appliance 100 is in use. However, in other scenarioswhere the appliance 100 constitutes a slave unit, the lever 402 can haveat least the following purposes: (1) facilitate a retention of the cable502 in the internal chamber of the base unit 102; (2) facilitate thealignment of the plug connector 204 and a mating socket connector of anadjacent appliance; and (3) facilitate a mechanical coupling of themating socket assembly of the adjacent appliance and the plug assembly202 of the appliance 100. Notably, in both scenarios, the lever 402 hasmultiple purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is provided a perspective view of otherexemplary appliances 600, 602, 604. Similar to appliance 100 describedabove, each of the appliances 600, 602, 604 is designed to beelectrically interconnected with at least one other appliance and/or anelectrical receptacle (e.g., a wall outlet). However, the electricalinterconnection may or may not be achieved in the same manner asdescribed above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. In this regard, at least oneelectrical interconnection may be achieved via electrical connectorcoupling and/or inductive coupling. In the electrical interconnectionscenario, a plug connector of an appliance 600, 602, 604 may be coupledwith a socket connector of another appliance, such as appliance 100. Inthe inductive coupling scenario, the inductive coupling is provided byhorizontally and vertically aligned inductive couplers of two adjacentappliances 600 and 602 or 602 and 604. Inductive couplers are well knownin the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Any known or tobe known inductive coupler can be used with the present inventionwithout limitation.

Perspective views of appliance 600 are provided in FIGS. 7-8. Appliances602, 604 are the same as or similar to appliance 600. As such, thediscussion provided below in relation to appliance 600 is sufficient firunderstanding appliances 602, 604. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, appliance 600comprises a slow cooker. The present invention is not limited in thisregard. The appliance 600 can include any type of cooking apparatus,such as a toaster or a kettle. Alternatively or additionally, appliance600 may have a function which is other than for the preparation of foodand/or drinks. Examples of such appliances include, but are not limitedto, televisions, radios, clocks and/or coolers.

Notably, appliance 600 has two internal inductive coupling elements. Afirst inductive coupling element (not shown) is disposed adjacent toportion 702 of appliance 600. A second inductive coupling element (notshown) is disposed adjacent to portion 802 of appliance 600. The firstand second inductive coupling elements are arranged so as to have thesame center axis 704. As a result, each inductive coupling element canbe properly horizontally and vertically aligned with a correspondinginductive coupling element of an adjacent appliance (e.g., appliance 602of FIG. 6). The present invention is not limited in this regard. Inother scenarios, the two inductive coupling elements may not have thesame center axis, or be aligned with one another.

In order to facilitate the inductive coupling of two adjacentappliances, a plug assembly 710 may extend from a sidewall 708 of theappliance 600 which is different than the sidewalls 706, 806 on whichportions 702, 802 exist. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the sidewall 708 is abottom sidewall of the apparatus 600. The present invention is notlimited in this regard. The plug assembly 710 may extend from anysidewall of the appliance. In some scenarios, the plug assembly 710 canextend from any sidewall except for sidewalls 706, 806. However, inother scenarios, the plug assembly 710 may extend from a sidewall 706 or806 in a manner that will not cause an interference with inductivecoupling between two adjacent units.

The plug assembly 710 is configured to electrically connect theappliance 600 to an electrical receptacle (e.g., a wall outlet or asocket connector of an adjacent appliance). Plug assemblies of this typeare well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein.Any known or to be known plug assembly can be used without limitation.In some scenarios, the plug assembly comprises a retractable cable witha plug connector attached to a distal end thereof. The plug assembly 710may be the same as, similar to or different than that discussed above inrelation to FIGS. 1-5. As such, the cable storage in and removal from achamber (not shown) formed within the base unit can be facilitated by alever (e.g., lever 406 of FIG. 4) defining at least one sidewall of achannel in which the plug connector is disposed when in its engagedposition.

Notably, the plug assembly 710 is arranged such that it does notinterfere with an inductive coupling between appliance 600 and anadjacent appliance (e.g., appliance 602 of FIG. 6). Also, the plugassembly 710 and inductive couplers (not shown) allow appliance 600 toselectively act as a master unit or a slave unit. The selection can beachieved using a manually or automatically controlled switch. Forexample, a switch can be provided in each appliance which is configuredto automatically change an operational mode of the appliance from amaster unit mode to a slave unit mode based on various parameters, andvice versa. For example, an operational mode of an appliance 600 can beautomatically transitioned from a slave unit mode to a master unit modein response to the depression of a lever, the removal of the cable fromthe chamber formed within the base unit, the coupling of the plugconnector to a wall outlet, and/or a detected distance between theappliance and at least one adjacent appliance. In contrast, theoperational mode of the appliance 600 can be automatically transitionedfrom the master unit mode to the slave unit mode in response to theretraction of the cable, an engagement of the plug connector and lever,and/or a detected distance between the appliance and at least oneadjacent appliance. Such a switch arrangement ensures that eachappliance will only receive power from a single source during any givenperiod of time.

When acting as a slave unit, the appliance 600 is supplied power from anadjacent appliance via inductive coupling. In contrast, when acting as amaster unit, the appliance 600 is supplied power via an electricalreceptacle (e.g., a wall outlet). Also, the appliance 600 supplies powerto any adjacent appliance (e.g., appliance 602 of FIG. 6). The adjacentappliance (e.g., appliance 602 of FIG. 6) may facilitate the indirectsupply of power from appliance 600 to other appliances (e.g., appliance604 of FIG. 6), which are not directly adjacent to appliance 600, viainductive coupling. In some scenarios, the indirect power supply mayalternatively or additionally be achieved via electrical connectorcoupling.

Although the inductive coupling elements of appliance 600 are shown anddescribed as being positioned therein such that the shape of a housingis not affected thereby, embodiments of the present invention are notlimited in that regard. For example, in some scenarios, the inductivecoupling elements may be disposed within channels formed by protrudingwalls that are similar to or the same as walls 118, 218 described abovein relation to FIGS. 1-2. In these scenarios, the inductive couplingelements would replace the socket connector 114 and plug connector 204of appliance 100.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is provided a perspective view of otherexemplary appliances 900, 902, 904. Each appliance 900, 902, 904 issimilar to appliance 100 and/or 600, albeit different in some ways. Forexample, each appliance 900, 902, 904 is configured to be electricallyinterconnected with at least one other appliance. This interconnectionmay be achieved via an inductive coupling or an electrical connectorcoupling. The electrical interconnection is achieved via a Flip-OutInterconnection Assembly (“FOIA”) 906.

The FOIA 906 will now be described in detail in relation to FIGS. 10-11and appliance 900. The FOIAs of appliances 902, 904 are the same as orsimilar to that of appliance 900. As such, the following discussion ofFOIA 906 is sufficient for understanding the FOIAs of appliances 902,904.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the FOIA 906 comprises a plate 1002 pivotallycoupled to a base unit 1004 of the appliance 900. Means for pivotallycoupling a plate to another structure are well known in the art. Anyknown or to be known pivotal coupling means can be used herein withoutlimitation. For example, the pivotal coupling means may comprise twoposts (not shown) protruding, from two opposing side surfaces 1104, 1106of the plate 1002. The posts are sized and shaped to fit withinrespective apertures (not shown) formed in the base unit 1004.

The pivotal coupling allows the plate 1002 to be transitioned from itsclosed position shown in FIG. 10 to its opened position shown in FIG.11. In the closed position, an electrical coupler 1100 is disposed in achamber 1102 of the base unit 1004. In the open position, the electricalcoupler 1100 is exposed such that it can be coupled to a correspondingelectrical coupler 910 of another appliance 902. The correspondingelectrical coupler 910 is disposed on a bottom 908 of the otherappliance 902 so as to be positioned for electrical coupling with theelectrical coupler 1100 of appliance 900. Appliance 900 also comprises acorresponding electrical coupler 912 for mating with an electricalcoupler 914 of another appliance 904.

The electrical coupler 1100 and the corresponding electrical coupler 910comprise electrical connectors or inductive couplers. Electricalconnectors and inductive couplers are well known in the art, andtherefore will not be described in detail herein. Any known or to beknown electrical connector or inductive coupler can be used hereinwithout limitation. Still, it should be understood that, in some firstscenarios, the electrical coupler 1100 comprises a plug connectorconfigured to mate with a corresponding socket connecter 910 of anotherappliance 902. The plug and socket connectors can be of any type nowknown or to be known. In other second scenarios, the electrical coupler1100 comprises an inductive coupler configured to be inductively coupledto an inductive coupler 910 of another appliance 902. In yet other thirdscenarios, a combination of electrical coupling and inductive couplingcan be employed. For example, the electrical coupler 1100 of appliance900 can comprise a plug connector configured to mate with acorresponding socket connecter 910 of another appliance 902. However,the electrical coupler 912 disposed on the bottom 908 of appliance 900comprises an inductive coupler configured to inductively couple theappliance 900 with another appliance 904. As such, the electricalcoupler 914 of appliance 904 includes an inductive coupler.

Similar to appliances 100, 600 described above, appliance 900 can beselected as a master unit or a slave unit. If the appliance 900 isselected as a slave unit, then it will be supplied power from anotherappliance 902 or 904 via electrical coupler 1100 or 912. In contrast, ifthe appliance 900 is selected as the master unit, then appliances 902,904 constitute slave units. As such, appliances 902, 904 are suppliedpower from an electrical receptacle (e.g., a wall outlet) via the masterunit 900. Accordingly, the appliance 900 comprises a plug connector 1006coupled to a retractable cable 1008 shown in FIG. 10. Retractable cablesare well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein.Still, it should be understood that the cable 1008 can be stored in andremoved from a chamber (not shown) formed within the base unit 1004. Theplug-cable assembly may be the same as, similar to or different thanthat discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. As such, the cablestorage in and removal from a chamber (not shown) can be facilitated bya lever (e.g., lever 406 of FIG. 4) defining at least one sidewall of achannel in which the plug connector is disposed when in its engagedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-13, there are provided schematic illustrationsof exemplary appliances 1202, 1204, 1206 coupled together. Similar toappliance 100 described above, each of the appliances 1202, 1204, 1206is designed to be electrically interconnected with at least one otherappliance. However, the electrical interconnection is not achieved inthe same manner as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. In thisregard, the electrical interconnection is achieved via a barinterconnect 1208.

As shown in FIG. 14, the bar interconnect 1208 has a generally “H”shape. The present invention is not limited in this regard. The barinterconnect 1208 can have any shape that is selected in accordance witha particular application. In the “H” shape scenario, the barinterconnect 1208 comprises two side bars 1402, 1408 and a central bar1406. Each side bar 1402, 1408 has two electrical contacts 1410, 1412disposed thereon. The electrical contacts 1410, 1412 facilitate theelectrical coupling of two adjacent appliances 1202/1204 or 1204/1206,as shown in FIG. 12. In this regard, each appliance 1202, 1204, 1206 hasan Electrical Coupling Assembly (“ECA”) 1302 disposed on a bottomportion 1304 thereof for enabling said electrical coupling.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ECA 1302 comprises a sidewall 1306 having ageometric shape matching that of an end portion 1308 of the barinterconnect 1208. The sidewall 1306 defines an insert space 1310 forreceiving the end portion 1308. The sidewall 1306 helps to ensure thatthe end portion 1308 will not become unintentionally decoupled from anappliance 1202, 1204, 1206 during use thereof. The sidewall 1306 alsohelps to ensure that the electrical contacts 1410, 1412 are properlyaligned with corresponding electrical contacts 1312 during theelectrical coupling process. The sidewall 1306 further helps to ensurethat the electrical contacts 1410, 1412, 1312 remain mechanically andelectrically coupled during use of the appliances 1202, 1204, 1206.

All of the apparatus, methods and algorithms disclosed and claimedherein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in lightof the present disclosure. While the invention has been described interms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill inthe art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods andsequence of steps of the method without departing from the concept,spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will beapparent that certain components may be added to, combined with, orsubstituted for the components described herein while the same orsimilar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to bewithin the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: two units that are capable ofbeing electrically coupled to each other, with one of the units being abase unit and the other unit being a slave unit placed in proximity tothe base unit, each unit comprising: a housing; a vessel removablymounted on the housing configured to hold food during heating, thevessel formed from a material from the group consisting of stoneware,glazed ceramic, porcelain and metal; and a heating element generatingheat provided to the vessel to heat the food in the vessel when thevessel is mounted on the housing; a plug connector connected to the baseunit and the slave unit, the plug connector configured to electricallycouple the base unit to an electrical receptacle and electrically couplethe slave unit to a socket connector on the base unit; a channel formedon or in a sidewall of said units in which the plug connector isdisposed when in an engaged position; and a lever defining a channelwall of the channel and being configured to facilitate a transition ofthe plug connector between the engaged position and a disengagedposition, wherein the lever engages the plug connector when in theengaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in thedisengaged position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising aretractable cable coupled to the plug connector which may be removedfrom an internal chamber of the unit when the plug connector is in thedisengaged position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plugconnector comprises an aperture configured to receive a guide protrudingout and away from the socket connector of the slave unit when the baseunit and the slave unit are electrically coupled.
 4. An appliance,comprising: a plurality of heated units that are capable of beingelectrically coupled to each other, with one of the heated units being abase heated unit and each additional unit being a slave heated unit, afirst of the slave heated units being placed adjacent to the base heatedunit, and the remaining slave heated units being placed adjacent to thefirst slave heated unit and adjacent to one another in successionthereafter, wherein each of the heated units are electrically coupled tothe adjacent heated unit such that the slave heated units areelectrically coupled directly or indirectly to the base heated unit,each heated unit comprising: a housing having at least one recess; avessel removably mounted in each recess for holding food during heating,the vessel formed from a material from the group consisting ofstoneware, glazed ceramic, porcelain and metal; and a heating elementgenerating heat provided to the vessel to heat the food in die vesselwhen the vessel is mounted In the recess; a plug connector connected tothe base heated unit and to the slave heated units, said plug connectorconfigured to electrically couple said base heated unit to an electricalreceptacle and to electrically couple each slave heated unit to a socketconnector on the base heated unit or another slave heated unit; achannel formed on or in a sidewall of each heated unit in which the plugconnector is disposed when in an engaged position; and a lever defininga channel wall of said channel and being configured to facilitate atransition of the plug connector between the engaged position and adisengaged position, wherein the lever engages the plug connector whenin the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when inthe disengaged position.
 5. The appliance of claim 4, further comprisinga retractable cable coupled, to the plug connector which may be removedfrom an internal chamber of the heated unit when the plug connector isin the disengaged position.
 6. The appliance of claim 4, wherein thelever and a plurality of channel walls of said channel collectivelyfacilitate: (a) an alignment of the plug connector on the heated unitwith the socket connector of another heated unit when electricallycoupled together; and (b) a mechanical coupling of the heated unit tothe other heated unit.
 7. The appliance of claim 4, wherein the socketconnector is disposed on an opposite side of the heated unit from theside on which the plug connector is disposed.
 8. The cooking applianceof claim 4, wherein the plug connector on one of the heated unitscomprises an aperture configured to receive a guide protruding out andaway from the socket connector on another of the heated units when theheated units are coupled together.
 9. The appliance of claim 4, whereinsaid heated units are slow cooking units.
 10. A cooking appliance,comprising: two or more cooking modules that electrically interconnectto each other, with one of the cooking modules being a base cookingmodule and each additional cooking module being a slave cooking moduleplaced adjacent to the base cooking module and adjacent to one anotherin succession thereafter, wherein each of the cooking modules arecapable of being electrically interconnected to each adjacent cookingmodule such that all of the cooking modules are electricallyinterconnected directly or indirectly to the base cooking module, each,cooking module comprising: a housing having at least one recess; acooking vessel removably mounted in each recess for holding food duringcooking, the cooking vessel formed from a material from the groupconsisting of stoneware, glazed ceramic, porcelain and metal; and aheating element generating heat provided to the cooking vessel to cookthe food in the cooking vessel when the cooking vessel Is mounted In therecess; a plug connected to the base cooking module and to each of theslave cooking modules, the plug configured to electrically couple thebase cooking module to an electrical receptacle and to electricallycouple each slave cooking module to a socket on the base cooking moduleor another slave cooking module; a channel formed on or in a firstsidewall of the base cooking module in which the plug is disposed whenin an engaged position; and a lever defining a channel wall of thechannel and being configured to facilitate a transition of the plugbetween the engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein thelever engages the plug when in the engaged position and does not engagethe plug when in the disengaged position.
 11. The cooking appliance ofclaim 10, further comprising a retractable cable coupled, to the plugwhich may be removed from an internal chamber of the base cooking modulewhen the plug is in the disengaged position.
 12. The food cookingappliance of claim 10, wherein the lever and a plurality of channelwalls of the channel collectively facilitate an alignment of the plugand the socket connector when being electrically coupled together. 13.The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the lever and a plurality ofchannel walls of the channel collectively facilitate: (a) an alignmentof the plug and the socket connector when being electrically coupledtogether; and (b) a mechanical coupling of the base cooking module tothe electrical receptacle.
 14. The cooking appliance of claim 10,wherein the socket connector is disposed on a side of the base cookingmodule which is opposed from a second side on which the plug isdisposed.
 15. The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the plug on oneof the cooking modules comprises an aperture configured to receive aguide protruding out and away from the socket, of another cooking modulebeing electrically coupled to the cooking module.
 16. The cookingappliance of claim 10, wherein said cooking modules are slow cookingmodules.